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Memphis Grizzlies: What Is happening now?

By Chip Crain

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 7: Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera and Justin Timberlake talk before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat on December 7, 2014 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 7: Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera and Justin Timberlake talk before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat on December 7, 2014 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies are in a sticky ownership situation right now. In the midst of their PR nightmare, what’s going on?

The Memphis Grizzlies majority owner, Robert Pera, and two of the main minority owners, SKMG LLC controlled by Steve Kaplan and Bridge Sports LLC run by Daniel Strauss, have been negotiating for control of the team.

Strauss and/or Kaplan exercised a buy-sell option where they set a price for the franchise, and Pera has to either agree to purchase the minority owners shares at that price or sell his shares to them at that price. The option could’ve been exercised as early as October.

The exact timing of the option’s exercise could be important. There’s a 60-90 day window to come up with a value on the team. The 60 days have passed — assuming the late November exercise.

So what do we know?

Not much actually. The Grizzlies front office has been very tight-lipped about everything surrounding the team for some time.

The Athletic writer John Krawcyznski reported on November 30, 2017 that the option had been exercised one week earlier. Using that timeframe, the 60 day window closed on January 22nd. The 90-day window closes on February 21st.

These dates are under the assumption that the date is correct, the option was exercised, and the groups haven’t privately delayed it.

So where does this leave the team?

The Memphis Grizzlies have been a team in transition since Dave Joerger’s firing. Their decline in play on the court is a result of multiple issues. Poor drafting, poor trades, poor coaching moves and the loss of the team’s identity all contributed to the decline.

“Grit ‘n’ Grind” galvanised the city around the team. No one knows what the team’s direction. Are the Memphis Grizzlies rebuilding for the future or reloading to make another playoff run next season? Will next season’s Memphis Grizzlies be an uptempo running team or a defense first slow paced team?

Fans are unsure. That is frustrating.

Many people point their fingers at the Grizzlies Front Office when placing blame. What was once one of the most open and progressive Front Offices in the NBA has changed into one of the most secretive and closed off. Local beat writer Ron Tillery (@CAGrizzBeat) has taken to twitter to express his displeasure with the Grizzlies lack of openness.

Columnists are often critical of the hometown team, but it’s extremely unusual for the beat writers to bash the organization.

Wallace is likely only following his boss’ orders. Robert Pera is a very private person. Is it really surprising to see Wallace being quiet? Pera put Wallace back in control after firing Jason Levien and most of his entourage.

Clearly, Kaplan taking ownership control would be problematic for the Grizzlies front office. Former CEO Jason Levien and Kaplan have a close business relationship. Chris Wallace would likely be replaced by someone — if not Levien — if Kaplan was in control. John Hollinger was a Pera hire who survived the front office clearance after the 2013-14 season. Would his position be safe if Kaplan took control?

JB Bickerstaff hasn’t been given any public promises of being retained under Pera and Wallace. Where he would stand under a different ownership is unclear, as is the entire Grizzlies coaching staff. They may not have made a decision on Bickerstaff because of the ownership question.

Then there’s the recent public relations disaster involving Tyreke Evans. Is it fair to question why the Grizzlies front office didn’t trade Evans for future draft picks when the ownership of the team is in question?

Closing Remarks

More from Beale Street Bears

When there’s a battle for control, everyone questions those in power after every decision. This is especially true with highly questionable moves like what happened with Evans.

Right now, the Grizzlies fans are in the dark about how the negotiations are going between Robert Pera, Daniel Strauss and Steve Kaplan. That forces people to speculate about what’s going on behind the scenes. With the team struggling that speculation is darker than normal as well.

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